FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND DRAFTS TRANSACTIONS PRODUCT DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Transcription

1 FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND DRAFTS TRANSACTIONS PRODUCT DISCLOSURE STATEMENT CUSTOM HOUSE CURRENCY EXCHANGE (AUSTRALIA) PTY LIMITED PAGE 1 moving money for better business.westernunion.com.au

2 FOREIGN EXCHANGE & DRAFT TRANSACTIONS PRODUCT DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Issue Date: 16th January 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PURPOSE 2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION 2.1 COPIES 2.2 UPDATES RELATING TO THIS PDS 2.3 CUSTOM HOUSE PRODUCTS 2.4 FINANCIAL AMOUNTS 2.5 GLOSSARY OF TERMS 2.6 COUNTERPARTY CREDIT RISK 2.7 DISCLAIM ER 3. ISSUER 3.1 CUSTOM HOUSE CONTACT DETAILS 3.2 CUSTOM HOUSE SERVICES 3.3 HOW TO ACCESS CUSTOM HOUSE SERVICES ONLINE PLATFORMS APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACES (APIs) SECURE FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL (SFTP) 3.4 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 4. FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS OVERVIEW 4.1 DETERMINING EXCHANGE RATES 4.2 THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET 4.3 CURRENCY LIMITATIONS 5. A FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTION (FET) 5.1 TYPES OF FETs 5.2 FET VARIABLES 5.3 HOW DOES A FET WORK? 5.4 EXAMPLE OF A FET USING A FET TO COVER FUTURE PAYMENTS NOT USING AN FET TO COVER FUTURE PAYMENTS 5.5 COST OF A FET EXCHANGE RATES SETTLEMENT PAGE 1

3 5.6 BENEFITS OF A FET 5.7 RISKS OF A FET 6. FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (FECS) 6.1 PURPOSE OF AN FEC 6.2 FEC VARIABLES 6.3 DETERMINING EXCHANGE RATES 6.4 THE FORWARD POINTS 6.5 HOW DOES A FEC WORK? 6.6 EXAMPLE OF A FEC USING A FEC TO COVER PAYMENTS NOT USING AN FEC TO COVER FUTURE PAYMENTS 6.7 COMPONENTS AND SPECIAL FEATURES OF A FEC THE TERM OF A FEC ROLLOVER PRE-DELIVERY OF A FEC PARTIAL PRE-DELIVERY OF A FEC CLOSE-OUT/CANCELLATION OF A FEC TERMINATION OF A FEC 7. NON-DELIVERABLE FORWARD (NDF) 7.1 EXAMPLE OF A NDF USING A NDF TO COVER FUTURE RECEIVABLES NOT USING A NDF TO COVER FUTURE RECEIVABLES 7.2 SETTLEMENT OF A NDF 8 CREDIT REQUIREMENTS 8.1 INITIAL MARGINS 8.2 MARGIN CALLS 8.3 CREDIT LIMITS 8.4 CLIENT MONEY 8.5 CLIENT MONEY RISK 9. COSTS OF A FEC AND NDF 10. BENEFITS OF A FEC AND NDF 11. RISKS OF A FEC AND NDF 12. SETTLEMENT AND DELIVERY OF AN FET AND FEC 12.1 WIRE TRANSFERS PAGE 2

4 EXAMPLE OF A WIRE TRANSFER BENEFITS OF A WIRE TRANSFER RISKS OF A WIRE TRANSFER RECALLING A WIRE TRANSFER COSTS AND FEES 12.2 FOREIGN DRAFTS/CHEQUES (DRAFT) PRODUCT INFORMATION PRODUCT FEATURES LOST OR STOLEN DRAFTS BENEFITS OF DRAFTS RISKS OF DRAFTS FEES AND CHARGES 13. ADDITIONAL RISKS 14. ORDERS, INSTRUCTIONS, CONFIRMATIONS, AND TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS 14.1 INSTRUCTIONS, CONFIRMATIONS AND TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS 14.2 STANDING ORDERS 15. TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION 15.1 TERMS AND CONDITIONS 15.2 OTHER INFORMATION 16. DISPUTE RESOLUTION 17. TAXATION 18. PRIVACY 19. GLOSSARY OF TERMS PAGE 3

5 1. PURPOSE This Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is dated 16th January This PDS contains information about Foreign Exchange Contracts and Drafts. Custom House Currency Exchange (Australia) Pty Limited (ABN ) (AFSL ) (referred to in this document as Custom House Currency Exchange, Custom House, we, our and us ) is providing you with this PDS so that you receive important information about Foreign Exchange Contracts and Drafts including their benefits, risks and costs. Specifically, the Financial Products described in this PDS are; Spot Foreign Exchange Transactions (FET), Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts (FEC), Non Deliverable Forwards (NDF) and Drafts. The purpose of this PDS is to provide you with sufficient information for you to determine whether a Foreign Exchange Contract or Draft meets your needs. This PDS will also allow you to compare the features of other products that you may be considering. Please read this PDS carefully before purchasing a FET, FEC, NDF or Draft. In the event that you enter into a Financial Product with us, you should keep a copy of this PDS along with any associated documentation for future reference. The information set out in this PDS is has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any decision about the Financial Products offered under this PDS, you should consider whether it is appropriate, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. This PDS does not constitute financial advice or a financial recommendation. You should read all of this PDS, the Financial Service Guide (FSG) and the Custom House Terms and Conditions before making a decision to trade in the Financial Products offered under this PDS. We recommend that you contact us if you have any questions arising from this PDS or the Terms and Conditions prior to entering into any transactions with us. A Foreign Exchange Contract may be suitable for you if you have a reasonable level of understanding of foreign exchange and related markets. If you are not confident about your understanding of these markets, we strongly suggest you seek independent advice before making a decision about these products. For example, consideration should be given to all the potential outcomes of specific Foreign Exchange Contracts and strategies before entering into any of the Financial Products described in this PDS. We encourage you to obtain independent financial advice which takes into account the particular reasons you are considering entering into Foreign Exchange Contracts with Custom House. Independent taxation and accounting advice should also be obtained in relation to the impact of possible foreign exchange gains and losses in light of your particular financial situation. The distribution of this PDS and the offer and sale of the Financial Products offered under this PDS may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Custom House does not represent that this PDS may be lawfully distributed, or that any Financial Products may be lawfully offered, in compliance with any applicable registration or other requirements in any such jurisdiction, or pursuant to an exemption available thereunder, or assumes any responsibility for facilitating any such distribution or offering. In particular, no action has been taken by Custom House which would permit a public offering of any Financial Products or distribution of this PDS in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, no Financial Products may be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, and neither this PDS nor any advertisement or other offering material may be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulation. Persons into whose possession this PDS or any Financial Products offered under this PDS come, must inform themselves about, and observe any such restrictions. This PDS and the Financial Products offered under this PDS have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any US state or other securities laws. Accordingly, the Financial Products offered in this PDS may not be granted to or taken up by, and the Financial Products may not be offered or sold to, any person that is in the United States or that is, or is acting for the account or benefit of, a US person. If you have any questions or require more information, please contact Custom House on (Australia only) or , by wubscustomerserviceaustralia@westernunion.com or refer to our website 2. IMPORTANT INFORMATION 2.1 Copies Copies of this PDS are available free of charge. You can download a copy of this PDS from our website at compliance/ or request a copy by either at wubscustomerserviceaustralia@westernunion.com or by phone (Australia Only). This PDS replaces the Foreign Exchange Transactions PDS, issued by Custom House and dated 29 June Updates relating to this PDS The information in this PDS is subject to change. PAGE 4

6 Custom House will issue a supplementary or replacement PDS where new information arises that is materially adverse to the information in this PDS. Where new information arises that is not materially adverse to the information in this PDS, Custom House will post such updated information on its website at You may request a copy of this information from your Custom House Representative or by contacting Custom House with reference to contact details in Section 3.1 Custom House Contact Details of this PDS. If we issue a supplementary or new PDS, we will notify you by posting the supplementary PDS or new PDS on our website. Alternatively, we may notify you by sending a written notice, at least five (5) days prior to the effective date of the supplementary PDS or new PDS (which contains a link to the supplementary PDS or new PDS) to your address as notified to us by you. 2.3 Custom House Products A separate PDS is available for Vanilla Foreign Exchange Options and Structured Foreign Exchange Options. Please contact us if you require an Options PDS, using contact information contained in Section 3.1 Custom House Contact Details or download from our website at com.au/about/compliance/ 2.4 Financial Amounts All financial amounts expressed in this PDS are in Australian Dollars (AUD) unless otherwise stated. 2.5 Glossary of Terms Words in BOLD used in this PDS, other than headings, have defined meanings. These meanings can be located in Section 19 Glossary of Terms of this PDS. 2.6 Counterparty Credit Risk When you enter into a Financial Product from Custom House, you are exposed to Counterparty credit risk against Custom House. That is, you have the risk that Custom House will not meet its obligations to you under the relevant Financial Product. To assess our financial ability to meet our obligations to you, you can obtain a copy of our financial statements, free of charge by ing wubscustomerserviceaustralia@ westernunion.com 2.7 Disclaimer Any information that is provided in this PDS does not take account of your financial situation, objectives or needs. Because of this, before you act on it, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your own objectives, financial situations or needs. Custom House does not take into account labour 3. ISSUER standards or environmental, social or ethical considerations. Custom House Currency Exchange (Australia) Pty Limited doing business as Western Union Business Solutions is the Issuer of the Financial Products described in this PDS. This PDS was prepared by: Custom House Currency Exchange (Australia) Pty Limited ABN AFSL Number Custom House Contact Details Address: Level 12, 1 Margaret St, SYDNEY, NSW, 2000 Phone: or (Australia Only). Principal Contact: Compliance Department wubscustomerserviceaustralia@westernunion. com Website: Custom House Services Custom House is one of the world s largest non-bank specialists in foreign exchange and international payments. We work with individuals and companies of all sizes, to create solutions that assist their business payments and foreign exchange process challenges to manage risk and costs How to Access Custom House Services After agreeing to our Terms and Conditions and after your application has been approved by us, you will have access to our products and will be able to provide us Instructions by: Phone - where you can call us and speak to one of Custom House Representatives and provide us with Instructions to transact your currency needs; - where you can us to provide your account details and Instructions; or Online - where we have arranged for your access to our services through our Online Platforms (Platforms) or our Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) or Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) Online Platforms Custom House provides a number of Online Platforms to access our different services with varying degrees of accessibility. The Platforms provide access for Australian business hours PAGE 5

7 only, Global Trading hours only (Monday morning to Saturday morning), and 7 day a week access. For eligibility and qualification for these Platforms please contact a Custom House Representative. You should consider the risks detailed in Section 13 Additional Risks of this PDS prior to accessing any Custom House Online Platform. In some instances you may incur a monthly Online Platform fee, or a monthly fee charged according to the number of transactions affected through the Online Platforms. For more information contact your Custom House Representative using the details contained in Section 3.1 above Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) Custom House API is an online facility that offers Clients an easy to use and accessible system to enter into transactions in FET s and to generate reports on transactions and Confirmations. Custom House at its sole discretion will qualify Clients for access based upon a number of factors including volume of transactions, and frequency of transacting with Custom House. For eligibility and qualification for these Platforms please contact a Custom House Representative. You should consider the risks detailed in Section 13 Additional Risks of this PDS prior to applying for API access Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) Custom House SFTP is a facility which allows for an information file to be transmitted by Clients at their discretion for transaction related information. Custom House at its sole discretion will qualify Clients for access based upon a number of factors including, volume of transactions, and frequency of transacting with Custom House. For eligibility and qualification for these Platforms please contact a Custom House Representative. You should consider the risks detailed in Section 13 Additional Risks of this PDS prior to applying for SFTP access. 3.4 Additional Information Our website provides additional information that may be useful including information about currency transactions and payment solutions, a resource centre and information relating to our company history. You must note that any information in this PDS or on our website does not take into account your personal financial circumstances and needs. 4. FOREIGN EXCHANGE OVERVIEW Foreign Exchange refers to the purchase of one currency and the sale of another currency at an agreed Exchange Rate simultaneously. Separate from the Exchange Rate, you will need to consider the relevant fees associated with your transaction. Our fees for transactions are described for FET in Section 5.5 Cost of a FET, and for FEC and NDF in Section 9 Costs of an FEC and NDF of this PDS. 4.1 Determining Exchange Rates A foreign Exchange Rate is the price of one currency (the Base Currency) in terms of another currency (the Terms Currency). The Exchange Rate is expressed as a quotation and shows how many units of the Terms Currency will equal one unit of the Base Currency. For example, the foreign Exchange Rate AUD/ USD means one Australian Dollar is equal to US cents. In this example the AUD is the Base Currency and the USD is the Terms Currency. Please note the above Exchange Rate is hypothetical and used for illustration purposes only. It is not an indicator of future Exchange Rates. 4.2 The Foreign Exchange Market Foreign Exchange Contracts are not entered into on an authorised exchange such as a stock market. There is no official benchmark Exchange Rate for foreign currencies. The foreign exchange market is referred to as an Over-The-Counter (OTC) market, which means that Exchange Rates will often vary when compared between providers. Exchange Rates are quoted on the Interbank Market, which is a wholesale market for Authorised Exchange Dealers, with Interbank Exchange Rates fluctuating according to supply and demand. This market is restricted to Authorised Exchange Dealers and banks that constantly quote to each other at wholesale Exchange Rates and in minimum parcel sizes. Factors that influence supply and demand (and therefore the Exchange Rate quoted to you) include: investment inflows/outflows; market sentiment or expectations; economic and political influences including geo political influence; and import/export of goods and services. Exchange Rates quoted in the media generally refer to Interbank Exchange Rates and will usually differ from Exchange Rates quoted to you. Because Foreign Exchange Contracts are traded OTC you will not be able to reverse your transaction, originally contracted with Custom House, with another provider. You will only be able to reverse or PAGE 6

8 cancel your Foreign Exchange Contract with Custom House. 4.3 Currency Limitations While Custom House endeavours to ensure that Clients are provided with access to the Currency Pairs of their choice, Custom House does not guarantee that it will offer FETs, FECs or NDFs in all Currency Pairs. This may arise for a number of reasons including restrictions that are imposed on Custom House or Custom House not having access to such currencies through its Correspondent Banks. 5. FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS (FETS) A FET is a binding agreement between you and Custom House in which one currency is sold or bought against another currency at an agreed Exchange Rate on the current date or at a specified future date. The day that you order your currency is referred to as the Trade Date, the day that you are required to make payment for your currency (and the day that we exchange currencies) is referred to as the Value Date. 5.1 Types of FETs Custom House offers the following three (3) types of FETs: Value Today refers to contracts where the Value Date and the Trade Date are the same day; Value Tomorrow refers to contracts where the Value Date is one (1) Business Day after the Trade Date; and Value Spot refers to contracts where the Value Date is two (2) Business Days after the Trade Date. The Value Date for any Currency Pair you elect to transact in must be Business Days in both countries. For example, if you transact in Australian Dollars against US Dollars (AUD/USD) for Value Spot, and it is a holiday in the USA on that date, then the next Business Day will be applied to the Value Date. 5.2 FET Variables When you provide Instructions to Custom House for a FET there are a number of variables that need to be agreed between Custom House and you being: the denomination and amount of the currency being bought or sold; the denomination of the currency being exchanged; the Exchange Rate; and the time frame of the FET (Value Today, Value Tomorrow or Value Spot). Custom House also offers foreign exchange products that are settled beyond two (2) Business Days. These are referred to as forward Foreign Exchange Contracts (FEC) as outlined in Section 6 Forward Exchange Contracts of this PDS. 5.3 How does a FET work? When you enter into a FET with Custom House, you nominate the amount of currency to be bought or sold, the two currencies to be exchanged and the type of FET (Value Today, Value Tomorrow or Value Spot). The currencies that you wish to exchange must be acceptable to Custom House. Custom House will determine the Exchange Rate applicable to the FET based on the currencies and the Value Date that you have nominated. The Exchange Rate that Custom House provides you for Value Today and Value Tomorrow transactions are determined by Custom House adjusting its Spot Rate. This adjustment can be either an addition or subtraction and reflects the costs or benefits associated with the Interest Rate Differential between the currencies that are being exchanged. On the Value Date you are required to deliver the currency that you are exchanging in accordance with the Exchange Rate determined by Custom House and agreed by you at the Trade Date. Upon receipt of the currency you are selling, Custom House will pay you or your nominated beneficiary the amount of currency that you have purchased. Custom House can deliver payment to you or your nominated beneficiary either by initiating a Wire Transfer to a bank account or through the physical delivery of a Draft (please refer to Section 12 Settlement and Delivery of an FET and FEC of this PDS for more information on payment methods) in accordance with your Instructions to us. 5.4 Example of a FET The examples are for illustrative purposes only and use rates and figures that we have selected to demonstrate how an FET works. In order to assess the merits of any particular FET you should use the actual rates and figures quoted at the relevant time Using a FET to cover future payments An importer is buying goods from the United States and is scheduled to make a payment of USD 50,000 in two (2) Business Days time. The Exchange Rate today for value two (2) Business Days (Value Spot) is AUD/USD If the importer enters into a Value Spot transaction with Custom House today, then the importer will be required to pay AUD 54, in two (2) Business Days time PAGE 7

9 (USD 50,000/0.9229). In two (2) Business Days time, after Custom House receives AUD 54, from the importer, Custom House will pay USD 50,000 by Wire Transfer or Draft to the beneficiary, as instructed by the importer Not using an FET to cover future payments The same importer as in decides not to enter into a Value Spot transaction. If in two (2) Business Days time, the Exchange Rate moves lower to AUD/USD , the importer will be required to pay AUD 57, (USD 50,000/0.8729). The importer did not take the opportunity to protect against unfavourable Exchange Rate movements and has to pay AUD 3, more than if the importer had chosen to enter into a Value Spot transaction as described in above. Conversely, if in two (2) Business Days time, the Exchange Rate moves higher to AUD/ USD , the importer will be required to pay AUD 51, (USD 50,000/0.9729). The importer did not take the opportunity to protect against unfavourable Exchange Rate movements and has as a result saved money by paying AUD 2, less than if the importer had chosen to enter into a Value Spot transaction as described in above. 5.5 Cost of a FET When you enter into an FET you agree to make a physical payment of one currency to Custom House in exchange for the physical receipt of another currency. The amount that you pay to us is determined by the Exchange Rate that we agree on the Trade Date Exchange Rates Custom House sets the Exchange Rate it offers to you by applying a Retail Mark Up (Mark Up) to the Interbank Exchange Rate that it receives from its wholesale commercial relationships. Custom House determines the Mark Up by taking account of a number of factors, including: the size of the transaction (measured in currency amount) where the smaller the transaction size the larger the Mark Up; the Currency Pair where the less Liquidity in the pair the greater the Mark Up; market Volatility where high Volatility will result in an increased Mark Up; the Time Zone you choose to trade in, so that trading on public holidays or weekends may see increased Mark Ups; the frequency with which you trade with Custom House, where the more frequently you transact the Mark Up is reduced; and the country to which the funds are being sent, where in some instances we incur higher fees when transferring certain currencies. These higher fees will be reflected in fees charged to you for your Draft or Wire Transfers Settlement You will not be charged any additional entry fees for an FET but other transaction fees or charges may apply for related services such as Wire Transfers or Drafts that are made in connection with the FETs as described in Sections 12.1 Wire Transfers of this PDS. In addition to the fees charged by Custom House for sending payments by Wire Transfer or for issuing Drafts for FETs, any Correspondent, Intermediary or Beneficiary Bank(s) which facilitates the sending or payment of a Wire Transfer/ Draft may impose their own additional fees or charges which may be deducted from the amount paid to you or your beneficiary. For information on these fees you need to contact the relevant financial institution. For further information in relation to the cost of Wire Transfers and Drafts in connection with an FET contact your Custom House Representative. 5.6 Benefits of a FET By entering into an FET with Custom House you will obtain certainty as to the Exchange Rate we are offering you (which is locked in at the Trade Date). This will provide you with protection from any unfavourable movement in the Exchange Rate that occurs after the Trade Date. 5.7 Risks of a FET The following are the risks associated with FETs: Once the agreed Exchange Rate has been set on the Trade Date, you will not be able to take advantage of favourable Exchange Rate movements that occur after the Trade Date and prior to the Value Date. By protecting against potential unfavourable Exchange Rate movements, you are not able to take advantage of favourable Exchange Rate movements. Delays in Wire Transfers and Drafts, whilst rare, can occur. These can be caused for a variety of technical and administrative reasons outside the control of Custom House. PAGE 8

10 If you choose to cancel or amend the FET after the Trade Date you will be required to pay any fees, costs, or losses incurred by Custom House associated with the cancellation or amendment. The extent of these fees, costs or losses depend on the contract and market conditions when you give us Instructions to cancel or amend the FET. Other general risks associated with the financial services we provide are outlined in Section 13 Additional Risks of this PDS. 6. FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS (FECS) A FEC is a binding agreement between you and Custom House in which one currency is sold or bought against another currency at an agreed Exchange Rate on an agreed date beyond two (2) Business Days in the future. Custom House considers that FECs are only suitable for businesses that understand and accept the risks involved in dealing in Financial Products involving foreign Exchange Rates. Custom House recommends that you obtain independent financial and legal advice before entering into an FEC. 6.1 Purpose of an FEC A FEC enables you to fix Exchange Rates to Hedge your currency exposure by providing protection against unfavourable Exchange Rate movements between the day you and Custom House agree to a FEC (the Trade Date ) and the day when payment for currency is made (the Value Date ). A FEC may also assist you in managing your cash flow by negating the uncertainty associated with Exchange Rate fluctuations for the certainty of a specified cash flow. 6.2 FEC Variables When you provide Instructions to Custom House for a FEC there are a number of variables that need to be agreed between Custom House and you being: the denomination and amount of the currency being bought or sold; the denomination of the currency being exchanged; the date in the future you want the contract to mature (Value Date); and the Exchange Rate. 6.3 Determining Exchange Rates In determining the Exchange Rate applicable to a FEC, Custom House applies Forward Points to its Spot Rate. Custom House takes into account a number of factors in determining Forward Points although in general terms Forward Points reflect: the differing interest rates prevailing in the two currencies involved in the FEC. market Volatility. transaction size and Custom House ability to offset the transaction in the Interbank Market. 6.4 The Forward Points The Forward Points can be either a positive or a negative number. Forward Points are added to the Spot Rate to obtain a Forward Exchange Rate. For example, an importer needs to sell AUD in three (3) months time in exchange for USD and Australian interest rates are higher than US interest rates. The pricing principle assumes that Custom House buys USD now at the Spot Rate, paying for the USD with AUD. Custom House will pass on the cost of the higher rate of interest that it pays on the AUD. The adjustment, which would be a negative number or a subtraction from the Spot Rate, means that the Forward Exchange Rate would be less favourable than a Spot Rate. The reverse would apply if Australian interest rates were lower than US interest rates. 6.5 How does a FEC work? When you enter into a FEC with Custom House you nominate the amount of currency to be bought or sold, the two currencies to be exchanged and the date that you wish to exchange the currencies. The currencies that you wish to exchange must be acceptable to Custom House. For a list of available currencies please contact your Custom House Representative. Custom House will determine the Exchange Rate applicable to the FEC based on the currencies and the Value Date that you have nominated as well as determinants outlined in Sections 6.3 and 6.4 above. On the Value Date you are required to deliver the currency that you are exchanging in accordance with the Exchange Rate determined by Custom House and agreed by you at the Trade Date. Upon receipt of the currency that you are selling in cleared funds, Custom House will pay you or your nominated beneficiary the amount of currency that you have purchased. This Section 6 does not apply to Non Deliverable Forwards (NDF). A description of how a NDF works is set out in Section 7 Non-Deliverable Forward of this PDS. 6.6 Example of an FEC The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and use rates and figures that we have selected to demonstrate how a FEC works. In order to assess the merits of any particular FEC you should use the actual rates and figures quoted at the relevant time. PAGE 9

11 6.6.1 Using a FEC to cover future payments An importer is buying goods from the United States and is scheduled to make a payment of USD 100,000 in three (3) months time. The Exchange Rate today is AUD/USD The importer can eliminate its exposure to the Exchange Rate depreciating by entering into a FEC. This will allow an Exchange Rate to be fixed for the purchase of USD 100,000 in three (3) months time. This guaranteed future Exchange Rate is called the Forward Exchange Rate. The three (3) month Forward Points are -USD which when applied to the current Exchange Rate, results in a three (3) month Forward Exchange Rate of ( less ). In three (3) months time the importer will buy from Custom House the USD 100,000 at the Forward Exchange Rate of and will pay AUD 109, (USD 100,000/0.9099). The importer will be in a more favourable position if the Exchange Rate on the Value Date is less than the Forward Exchange Rate of If in three (3) months time the Exchange Rate moves lower to AUD/USD , the importer would have been required to pay AUD 114, (USD 100,000/0.8729) had it not entered into the FEC, costing the importer an additional AUD 4, In this scenario the importer has saved that amount by entering into the FEC. However, if the Exchange Rate on the Value Date is greater than the Forward Exchange Rate of , the importer would be in a less favourable position. If in three (3) months time, the Exchange Rate moves higher to AUD/ USD , the importer would have only paid AUD 102, (USD 100,000/0.9729) had it not entered into the FEC. In this scenario the importer is paying an additional AUD 7, by entering into the FEC Not using an FEC to cover future payments The same importer as in decides not to enter into a FEC. The amount of AUD the importer will need to pay in three (3) months time will depend on the prevailing Exchange Rate quoted at that time. If in three (3) months time, the Exchange Rate moves lower to AUD/USD , the importer will be required to pay AUD 114, (USD 100,000/0.8729). The importer did not take the opportunity to protect against unfavourable Exchange Rate movements and has to pay AUD 4, more than if the importer had chosen to enter into a FEC as described in above. Conversely, if in three (3) months time, the Exchange Rate moves higher to AUD/USD , the importer will be required to pay AUD 102, (USD 100,000/0.9729). The importer did not take the opportunity to protect against unfavourable Exchange Rate movements and has as a result saved money by paying AUD 7, less than if the importer had chosen to enter into a FEC as described in above. 6.7 Components and Special Features of a FEC The Term of a FEC The term of a FEC can range between three (3) days to one (1) year depending on your needs and your credit terms with Custom House. A term longer than one (1) year may be considered by Custom House on a case-by-case basis. Custom House, at its sole discretion will determine whether it will offer you a facility to be able to transact in FEC including the maximum time frame (Trade Date to Value Date). Generally we will take into account a number of factors including but not limited to: current financial position; period of incorporation if applicable; a credit check through third party agencies; credit history; and previous history as a Client of Custom House (if applicable) Rollover At any time up to the Value Date you may ask Custom House to extend the Value Date of your FEC. Custom House refers to this as a Rollover. All Rollovers are subject to prior approval by Custom House and may be declined at our sole discretion. We will only approve Rollovers where there is an underlying business purpose and will also consider: the extent to which your FEC is In-The- Money (ITM); the extent to which your FEC is Out-of- The-Money (OTM); or the Rollover period you are requesting. For Rollovers where the FEC is deeply OTM, Custom House may require you to close the FEC, settle any liabilities owing to Custom House, and enter into a new FEC equivalent PAGE 10

12 to your request for the Rollover at market Exchange Rates. If Custom House agrees to extend your Value Date, the Exchange Rate of your FEC will be altered. The new Exchange Rate will reflect a number of factors including: your existing Forward Exchange Rate from the last Trade Date of the FEC; the Spot Rate at the time the Rollover is contemplated; and market interest rates of the currencies involved in the Rollover consistent with the new Value Date. It will also reflect any funding implications where your FEC is either ITM or OTM. This is determined by Custom House comparing the value of your FEC with the prevailing market Spot Rate. If you are an importer and the value of your FEC is greater than the prevailing market rate you will have an ITM position (and will thereby be extending credit to us); if the value of your FEC is less than the prevailing market rate you will have an OTM position (and Custom House will thereby be extending credit to you). The opposite ITM and OTM scenario applies if you are an exporter. If Custom House agrees to a Rollover we will send you a Confirmation detailing the amendment as agreed by you and Custom House Pre-Delivery of a FEC After entering into a FEC you may wish to bring the agreed Value Date closer to Value Spot. This is called a Pre-Delivery. If Custom House agrees to the Pre-Delivery we may carry out an Exchange Rate adjustment to the original Forward Exchange Rate to reflect this earlier delivery or Value Date. You should note that while in normal trading conditions an adjustment for Pre-Deliveries or Rollovers may be somewhat marginal, in times of extreme Volatility in the foreign exchange market that the adjustment may be significant. It should be also be noted that there is a contract to effect full delivery of the FEC no later than the Value Date and any agreement to effect a Pre-Delivery is at Custom House sole discretion Partial Pre-Delivery of a FEC You may also wish to bring the agreed Value Date closer to Value Spot on a portion of the Notional Amount of your FEC. If Custom House agrees to this, we may carry out an Exchange Rate adjustment to the original Forward Exchange Rate on that portion of the amount that you wish to pre-deliver. The balance of the remaining Notional Amount, after the partial Pre-Delivery of the FEC, shall remain due at the original Exchange Rate on the original Value Date Close-out/Cancellation of a FEC Custom House may agree to close a FEC, or a portion of the Notional Amount of your FEC, in the event that you no longer require the currency that you have agreed to purchase on the Value Date. Custom House s decision to agree to a close-out is at all times discretionary and in each case will be subject to payment by you of any costs that we incur in terminating and unwinding your FEC including any OTM position in relation to your FEC Termination of a FEC Once entered a FEC may only be terminated by Custom House in limited circumstances, which are set out in full in our Terms and Conditions. These circumstances include: Failure to pay an Initial Margin or Margin Call; If you are insolvent, appoint a receiver or administrator to your business or cease to carry on your business; If you dispute the validity of a Forward Exchange Contract; or For any other reason set out in the Terms and Conditions. Where Custom House terminates a FEC for any of these reasons you will be liable for any losses and expenses that Custom House incurs as a result. 7. NON-DELIVERABLE FORWARD (NDF) A Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) is a type of FEC that is net-cash settled on the Value Date. This means that there is no exchange of currencies at Settlement; instead a single dollar amount will be payable by either you to Custom House, or Custom House to you. This amount is calculated by reference to the difference in value of the predetermined AUD or foreign currency amount to be bought or sold (the Notional Amount ) at the agreed Exchange Rate and the value of the Notional Amount that you have agreed to buy or sell at the prevailing Spot Rate. NDF s are typically used for currencies that are subject to exchange control restrictions in their particular domestic market that limit access to the currency. Your Custom PAGE 11

13 House Representative can provide you currencies offered as a NDF for example, Malaysian Ringgit (MYR), Korean Won (KRW), Philippine Peso (PHP), and Chinese Renminbi (CNY). We may however agree to enter into an NDF for a freely tradable currency. When you enter into a NDF you nominate the Notional Amount of the non-deliverable currency that you wish to purchase or sell, the Reference Currency and the Value Date. Custom House will then determine the NDF Contract Rate and the Fixing Date (which will usually be two (2) Business Days before the Value Date). The two possible outcomes on the Value Date are: If the NDF Contract Rate is more favourable to you than the Spot Rate on the Fixing Date Custom House will pay you the difference in the Reference Currency. If the NDF Contract Rate is less favourable to you than the Spot Rate on the Fixing Date you will be obligated to pay Custom House the difference in the Reference Currency. Whether the NDF Contract Rate is more or less favourable will depend on whether you are buying or selling the Notional Amount of the non-deliverable currency and what the prevailing Spot Rate is on the Fixing Date. 7.1 Example of an NDF The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and use rates and figures that we have selected to demonstrate how a NDF works. In order to assess the merits of any particular NDF you should use the actual rates and figures quoted at the relevant time Using a NDF to cover future receivables An Australian company is exporting goods to China. The company invoices its Chinese customer in Chinese Renminbi (CNY) but the customer pays in AUD. The latest invoice requires the customer to pay the AUD equivalent of CNY 650,000 in three (3) months time. The Exchange Rate today is AUD/CNY The exporter can eliminate its exposure to the AUD appreciating by entering into a NDF with a Value Date in three (3) months time. Assume that the prevailing Forward Points for three (3) months time is (0.0410) and Custom House offers an NDF Contract Rate of ( less ). The exporter can then enter into a NDF for a Notional Amount of CNY 650,000 with a Value Date of three (3) months and a Fixing Date two (2) Business Days prior to the Value Date at the AUD/CNY Exchange Rate of The possible outcomes on the Value Date are as follows: AUD/CNY rises at Fixing Date If the AUD/CNY Exchange Rate has appreciated above the NDF Contract Rate (5.7728) Custom House will pay the cash difference in AUD (the Reference Currency in this example) to the exporter on the Value Date. For example if the Spot Rate on the Fixing Date is the fixing amount will be AUD 102, (CNY 650,000/6.3138), the contract Settlement amount will be AUD 112, (CNY 650,000/5.7728) and the difference of AUD 9, will be payable to the exporter by Custom House. This cash Settlement amount will compensate the exporter for the lower amount of AUD that it will receive from the Chinese customer as a result of the higher AUD/CNY Exchange Rate. AUD/CNY falls at Fixing Date If the AUD/CNY Exchange Rate has depreciated below the NDF Contract Rate (5.7728) the exporter will be obligated to pay the cash difference in AUD to Custom House. For example if the Spot Rate on the Fixing Date is the fixing amount will be AUD 122, (CNY 650,000/5.3138), the contract Settlement amount will be AUD 112, (CNY 650,000/5.7728) and the difference of AUD 9,726 will be payable to Custom House by the exporter. This cash Settlement amount will reduce the benefit that the exporter would have received from the lower AUD/CNY Exchange Rate. The Chinese customer is required to pay AUD 122, and the exporter would have retained that amount. Under the NDF contract, the exporter must pay the benefit (being the AUD 9,726) to Custom House. The total of AUD 112, retained by the exporter is equivalent to the contracted NDF Exchange Rate of Not using a NDF to cover future receivables Assume that the same exporter decides not to enter into a NDF. The amount of AUD that the exporter receives in three (3) months time will depend on the prevailing AUD/CNY Exchange Rate in three (3) months. If the AUD goes up (appreciates) the CNY will be less valuable and the exporter will receive less AUD. For instance if the AUD/ CNY Exchange Rate rises to the exporter will receive AUD 102, from the Chinese customer; PAGE 12

14 If the AUD goes down (depreciates) the CNY will be more valuable and the exporter will receive more AUD. For instance if the AUD/CNY Exchange Rate falls to the exporter will receive AUD 122, from the Chinese customer. 7.2 Settlement of a NDF NDFs are non-deliverable, which means there is no physical exchange of currencies between you and us. Settlement occurs through a single payment either from us to you or from you to us in the Reference Currency as described above. 8. CREDIT REQUIREMENTS At any time during the term of a FEC or NDF, Custom House may require you to make a payment as security for your payment obligations on the Value Date. When you open a FEC or NDF with Custom House, you immediately create a liability to us (at the Trade Date not the Value Date), which can increase with adverse market movements. Over the life of a FEC or NDF, as the Spot Rate moves, the Marked to Market value of the contract may be ITM or OTM or At-the-Money (ATM). That is, if the contract had to be cancelled at any time, it would result in a gain (if ITM), a loss (if OTM) or breakeven (if ATM). To manage this Market Risk Custom House may initially secure the contract by requiring you to pay an amount of money, which shall be determined by Custom House at its sole discretion and deposited with Custom House as security in connection with a FEC or NDF. We call this an Initial Margin. During the term of the contract Custom House may also require you to make additional payments to further secure your FECs, NDFs and any Option s Contracts you hold with us. We call these payments Margin Call. Alternatively Custom House may apply a Credit Limit against the Market Risk or a combination of a Credit Limit, Initial Margin and/or Margin Call. All Initial Margin and Margin Call payments will be applied to satisfy your payment obligation on the Value Date. 8.1 Initial Margins An Initial Margin is an amount of money that is payable to Custom House, calculated as a percentage of the Notional Amount of your FEC or NDF. If you are required to pay an Initial Margin we will notify you at the time you enter into an FEC or NDF. An Initial Margin is taken to secure Custom House potential risk exposure resulting from adverse currency movements that negatively impact the value of the funds you have agreed to purchase from us. An Initial Margin is a prepayment by you of your payment obligations on the Value Date and will be applied to the Settlement of your FEC or NDF. An Initial Margin is not a deposit and Custom House does not pay interest on an Initial Margin. Custom House may determine the Initial Margin percentage at its discretion. Factors that influence this include: your credit standing, as assessed by Custom House; Currency Pair and amount you are transacting (more exotic currencies or those currencies that are not commonly exchanged may require a larger Initial Margin); the Value Date of your FEC or NDF ( the longer the Value Date from the Trade Date the higher the Initial Margin); foreign exchange market Volatility (Currency Pairs that are exhibiting high Volatility or lack of Liquidity may require a higher Initial Margin); external economic conditions (in times of economic downturn Custom House may require a higher Initial Margin); and the frequency with which you transact with Custom House (where your credit history with Custom House dictates the Initial Margin required). 8.2 Margin Calls We will monitor the Marked to Market value of all of your foreign exchange positions with us on an ongoing basis. Should your FEC and/or NDF contract(s) (and any Options Contracts you may hold with us) move OTM in excess of the Initial Margin or your Credit Limit, or a combination of both, Custom House may secure the resulting increased risk through a Margin Call. A Margin Call is an amount of money that you are required to pay to Custom House to reduce its risk exposure to a level acceptable to Custom House. If a Margin Call is required, Custom House will advise you immediately. In the absence of default by you of your payment obligations to Custom House all Margin Call amounts will be applied at the Value Date to the Settlement of your FEC or NDF (or Options Contracts if applicable). A Margin Call is not a deposit and Custom House does not pay interest on a Margin Call. Payment of a Margin Call must be made within two (2) Business Days of Custom House request. If you fail to pay a Margin Call, Custom House may at its discretion, choose to close some or all of your FEC s and/ or NDF s (or any Options Contracts if applicable) by applying the prevailing market foreign Exchange Rate. In such circumstances you will be liable to Custom House for all costs associated with terminating the relevant contracts. PAGE 13

15 8.3 Credit Limits Custom House may choose to waive the requirement of an Initial Margin (or subsequent Margin Call), by allocating a Credit Limit. A Credit Limit is dependent upon your credit history/rating, strength of financial statements, as well as other factors determined at Custom House sole discretion. Custom House may review and amend your Credit Limit at any time. Custom House may apply a Credit Limit against each individual FEC or NDF contract that you enter into or against your entire portfolio of FECs, NDFs and Options Contracts (where applicable). Please refer to the Custom House Terms and Conditions for further information on Credit Limits. 8.4 Client Money All Initial Margin and Margin Call funds are held by us as Client Money in accordance with the Australian Client Money Rules. Consistent with the Australian Client Money Rules, Client Money will be held separately from our money, in one or more separate trust account(s) maintained by us with an Australian Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI), however, we may withdraw, deduct or apply Initial Margin and Margin Call funds in connection with margining, guaranteeing, securing, transferring or settling dealings in Foreign Exchange Contracts by us including dealings on behalf of other Clients. We may also withdraw or deduct Initial Margin and Margin Call funds where money is due and owing to us (for instance on Settlement or in the event that you default on any of your obligations to us and we close out your FEC s and/or NDF s and incur a cost in doing so) or for any other reason authorised by the Australian Client Money Rules. This means that Custom House may make payments out of the Segregated Account in the following circumstances: paying Custom House money to which it is entitled. Once money withdrawn to pay Custom House is paid to Custom House, that money is Custom House s own money (and is not held for you); making a payment to, or in accordance with, the written direction or Instruction of a person entitled to the money; making a payment that is otherwise authorised by law or pursuant to the operating rules of licensed market; and as otherwise permitted under the Custom House Terms and Conditions or any other agreement put in place between Custom House and you. Refer to the Custom House Terms and Conditions for further information on how we deal with Client Money. 8.5 Client Money Risk Custom House practice of placing Client Money in a Segregated Account will not provide you with absolute protection in all circumstances. 9. COST OF A FEC AND NDF Because Custom House does not typically pay interest to you for amounts that we hold as Initial Margin or Margin Call there will be an interest cost to you if you are required to pay an Initial Margin or a Margin Call. That cost will be equivalent to the interest that you would have otherwise earned if you had held those amounts in your own bank account. When you enter into a Foreign Exchange Contract you agree to make a physical payment of one currency to Custom House in exchange for the physical receipt of another currency (for a FEC) or for an amount to be settled to or from you (for an NDF). The amount that you pay to us is determined by the Exchange Rate that we agree at the Trade Date. The Exchange Rate we agree will take into consideration the factors described in Section Exchange Rates of this PDS. You will not be charged any additional entry fees for a FEC or NDF at the Trade Date but other fees or charges may apply for related services such as Wire Transfers or Drafts that are made in connection with the FEC. Information on fees for Wire Transfers and Drafts are outlined in Section 12.1 Wire Transfers of this PDS. In addition to the fees charged by Custom House for sending payments by Wire Transfer or for issuing Drafts for FECs, any Correspondent, Intermediary or Beneficiary Bank(s) which facilitates the sending or payment of a Wire Transfers/Drafts may impose their own additional fees or charges which may be deducted from the amount paid to you or your beneficiary. In some instances you may incur a monthly Online Platform fee, or a monthly fee charged according to the number of transactions affected through the Online Platforms that we provide to you. For further information in relation to the cost of Wire Transfers/Drafts in connection with delivery of your FEC or Online Platform fees that may be applicable, contact your Custom House Representative. 10. BENEFITS OF A FEC AND NDF The significant benefits of entering into a FEC or NDF with Custom House are: FECs and NDFs help you manage the risk inherent in currency markets by predetermining the Exchange Rate and Value Date on which you will purchase or sell a given amount of foreign currency against another PAGE 14